Top Lodi Unified official to take post in East Bay

LODI - One of Lodi Unified's top administrators has taken a job with Pleasanton Unified School District.

Keith Reid

LODI - One of Lodi Unified's top administrators has taken a job with Pleasanton Unified School District.

The hiring of Lodi Unified Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Odie Douglas was approved Tuesday night by Pleasanton Unified's Board of Trustees. He will serve Pleasanton Unified as assistant superintendent of educational services.

Douglas, 54, was hired in Lodi seven years ago as the district's associate superintendent - second in command to then-Superintendent Bill Huyett - overseeing operations in multiple departments.

He was later appointed as assistant superintendent of secondary education under Superintendent Cathy Nichols-Washer at a time when she and the Lodi board decided to streamline services at the district office and the position of associate superintendent was eliminated.

"This job in Pleasanton is much more like what I first did in Lodi Unified. I'll be in charge of elementary education, special education, research and evaluation ... a variety of things," Douglas said.

Pleasanton Unified is half the size of Lodi Unified, with about 14,000 students and 15 school sites. Douglas will earn $162,000 annually in his new role.

Douglas made no secret that he was looking for jobs outside of Lodi Unified and, in May, he said he was "seeking reassignment" within Lodi Unified. The district promoted Dawn Vetica, in charge of intervention programs, to replace Douglas in overseeing the district's high schools.

Lodi Unified had begun charting a new course to steer away from the all college-prep high school model Douglas was dedicated to in favor of more career and technical education.

Pleasanton Unified Superintendent Parvin Ahmadi said her district is "high achieving" and has a goal of preparing every student for college.

Douglas had sought superintendent posts. He was a finalist for Stockton Unified's top job in 2010 before the district ultimately decided to keep Carl Toliver on as a long-term interim.

"Lodi Unified School District is grateful to Dr. Douglas for his service to the district and community. His passionate dedication to students, concern for staff, and resourcefulness will be missed. We wish him well," Nichols-Washer said in an email.